Police: Downtown Oakland bank robber arrested and charged

OAKLAND -- A convicted burglar has been arrested and charged with the Nov. 5 robbery of a downtown bank, police said Monday. An accomplice is still sought.

Investigators said Jonah Roper, 25, was identified as the suspect in the heist at Bank of the Orient, 360 12th St., by his probation officer who recognized him from surveillance photos. He was arrested Thursday at a downtown hotel where he had been living. Police said he also had an address in Berkeley.

Besides one count of bank robbery, Roper is also charged with two counts of violating probation. He was on probation for a 2011 burglary conviction and a 2011 battery of a custodial officer conviction. He is being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail.

Police said in the bank robbery the accomplice stood watch while Roper simulated a gun beneath a sweatshirt, demanded money and vaulted over a counter taking cash on the counter. The loss was in excess of $1,000.

Police said minutes prior Roper and the other man had cased the East West Bank, 900 Webster, but did not do anything.

The still sought suspect is a black man, 20 to 30, about 5 feet 9 with a medium build. He had a beard and mustache and wore a black puffy vest, gray T-shirt an blue pants.

Anyone with information about the second man can call investigators at 510-238-3326. Up to $2,500 in reward money is available.